Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

One of the most productive pass catchers in the state has found his future home.

Solon senior wide receiver AJ Coons announced his verbal commitment to South Dakota State on Sunday night in a post on Twitter.

“I’d like to thank South Dakota State University for believing in me, and believing in me first back in January when coach Smith first texted me,” Coons wrote. “They have come to basketball games and track meets of mine and really built a strong relationship with me through their constant communication and with that being said I am extremely blessed and proud to announce my verbal commitment to South Dakota State University to play football.”

Coons established himself as one of the premier pass catchers in the state last season when he caught 48 passes for 815 yards and 12 touchdowns in 10 games as a junior.

His 815 receiving yards ranked sixth in Class 3A a year ago and his 12 touchdowns were the third most in 3A.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Coons has 71 receptions for 1,367 yards and 20 touchdowns in 22 career games.

Also a member of the Solon track team and a standout basketball player, Coons is a state track qualifier and has led the Solon basketball team in scoring each of the past two seasons and needs just 114 points to reach 1,000 for his career.

Coons ultimately chose football as his future committing to South Dakota State over offers from fellow Football Championship Subdivision powers Northern Iowa, South Dakota and North Dakota.

South Dakota State is a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference and has reached the semifinals of the FCS playoffs each of the past two seasons.

The Jackrabbits are coming off a 10-3 season a year ago and have won 30 games over the past three seasons.

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